Written by: Belinda Crossman – RSL Queensland Images: Leigh Gilbert This article was originally published on rslqld.org by RSL Queensland and has been republished with permission. Warning: This article discusses the experiences of a prisoner of war, which some readers may find confronting. About Leigh Gilbert Like her father was, Leigh Gilbert is a passionate advocate for the veteran community and sees many of the ex-POW community as family. She worked for RSL Queensland for 19 years, first as the RSL Girl in a Million Quest SED Consultant and then as State Fundraising Coordinator.
POW’s daughter shares her journey of reconciliation Eight decades after Cyril Gilbert was imprisoned by the Japanese Army, Japan welcomed his daughter in the name of reconciliation. In March this year, Leigh Gilbert made her first visit to Japan – the former empire that made her late father a prisoner of war (POW).
For Leigh, this “amazing privilege” was a chance to seek closure, apology, and some idea of what Japanese people went through during WWII.
She’d been offered a place in the 2023 Japan-Australia Grassroots Exchange Programme, along with the daughter of another POW, and RSL Australia President Greg Melick.
An emotional journey
“I know Dad was looking down on me going to that trip,” Leigh says. “I think he had something behind me getting there, because as soon as I heard about it, I just knew that I was going. “I had his photo with me everywhere I went. It was the first time I was able to wear his medals over there too, which was pretty special.”
Reconciliation, understanding and goodwill More than 120 POWs and POW descendants have taken part in the programme since it began in 1997. Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, it “aims to deepen the mutual understanding of the peoples of Japan and Australia by inviting descendants of former Australian POWs to Japan, through the RSL network”. It’s an opportunity for all participants – POW descendants, RSL representatives and Japanese citizens – to “promote post-war reconciliation, understanding and goodwill between both countries”.
6 THE LAST POST – 2023 REMEMBRANCE DAY EDITION
Leigh and her companions spent eight days touring Japan, visiting sites including the Hodogaya (Yokohama) Commonwealth War Cemetery, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Museum and Genbaku Dome – the epicentre of the atomic bombing. There were meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Vice-Minister, who acknowledged Japan’s wartime actions. But the biggest highlight for Leigh was meeting Japanese citizens and students. “Seeing how interested they were in my father’s story, seeing the photos – I wasn’t expecting it. It was actually overwhelming to realise how sorry they were for what had happened,” Leigh says. “They didn’t know what their soldiers were doing during the war. It’s still not taught in schools and that’s something they want to do. And I think they need to do that to be able to move on.” Visiting Hiroshima was particularly emotional for Leigh. “I have always felt that if it wasn’t for Hiroshima, I wouldn’t be here,” she says. “I particularly wanted to go there and pay my respects because I knew civilians and children were affected by it. I laid a poppy and had my quiet reflection, saying sorry that they had to lose their lives so that we’ve got peace in the world.”
